What Are You Doing for the Holidays this Year?

DianasaurDishes

That is exactly the kind of Christmas I would love to achieve Diana. Too late for this year, as the holiday stress-o-meter is already off the charts. But hope springs eternal that next year will be more peaceful (and economical!).

ajgoldberg

Ho Ho Ho, and I'll be there with bells on my friend! :)

Ooooo, what on earth is a liquor ball? It sounds heavenly and devilish all at the same time. I, of course, will be once again making a huge crock pot full of black eyed peas for New Year's Eve. It's an old southern tradition (to bring good luck for the new year) and we learned it from my Dad who grew up in Central Florida. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and smooth move in January, Virgina!HomeRearedChef

Dear Jane, since you asked, :), last week I posted a recipe for making these lethal liquor balls, a take from "rum balls." This is my revamped recipe. They are very yummy! Jane Collins

http://www.blogher.com/advent%E2%80%A69-days-left-...

I would love to know how you do your beans. Though you don't have to give away any family secrets. I would really like to know if you add any kind of meat to the pot of beans. :)

By the way, we are moving because last week we were given a 60-day notice. Our landlords, sadly, have fallen into hard times and would like their home back. Sigh! So we are presently looking for another place of dwelling. Such is the life of renting.

HomeRearedChef

Oh my gosh Virginia, so sorry to hear about your rental woes. I live in fear that the same thing will happen to me! What a horror to have to move suddenly around the holidays. I live in the area, send me an email at jane@blogher.com if there is anything I can do to help. In the meantime...Black Eyed Peas:

--Start with a bag of dried peas

--Dump them in a crock pot with 3 or 4 large cans of chicken broth

--Cook all day or about 5 hours

--After 3 hours (here's where it gets creative) you can add your veggies and meat of choice. I usually include sliced carrots or baby carrots, diced onions, and cubed potatoes.

--For meat, you can throw in a couple of ham hocks if you want to be truly authentic. I don't like the fat, so I just cube some ham steaks and throw that in.

--Kosher salt, pepper, garlic salt or tabasco to taste.

Here's hoping a large pot of peas brings us all a better 2012!

HomeRearedChefJane Collins

I save my hambone from Christmas to cook with my black-eyed peas for New Years.Am not a fan of dried peas, so i use what we did when i was growing up..frozen fresh Blackeyed peas! no soaking needed. just pop them into the crockpot, with the hambone, and minced onion! no salt!! let them cook until done..i usually set on high, because they are frozen..then turn to simmer after several hours.

in the meantime, my cornbread is baking,, the two go together!!,

Also save half the Christmas ham by freezing to have on New Years.

sorry to hear about your rental problems..

Jane Collins

never heard of cooking peas in chicken broth?

HomeRearedChef

Oh, my...easy and delicious (I can already imagine the ingredients melding together)! Thank you, Jane. I think I will plan on making a pot myself. :) Jane Collins

Happy, Happy 2012!!

Loui, since I don't have a ham bone, I will probably some get ham hocks (I LOVE ham hocks!). And I agree about the cornbread. Cornbread is a must! :) Loui Jane Collins

LouiHomeRearedChef The recipe has mutated over the years. I found that this gives them a bit more of a savory flavor. My father in law (who is from the Philippines) claims that they also have the black eyed peas on New Year's Day ritual. And he puts baby bok choy into his! (It's delicious).

Jane, the baby bok choy sounds really delish. I will be doing that next week. Hubby is off from work, so while we are doing heavy packing for the move, I will put my beans in the pot. Thank you very much for the recipe AND conversation! :) Jane Collins Loui

Jane CollinsHomeRearedChef

this Florida girl always prepares here traditional southern favorites for the holidays..sans turkey..love my ham! I always purchase a readi cooked turkey breast from the deli for hubby who does enjoy the traditional turkey sandwich!

HomeRearedChef If all comes through(keeping fingers crossed and saying prayers) we too will be doing the same thing shortly after the holidays.. it will involve a cross country move from snowy mountains back to my native sandy beach shore!!♥

enjoy the beauty and sanity of the season..

Loui♥

Good luck on your travels, Loui, stay safe! :) Loui